GK fusion s issues. Anyone have this problem?

[Roy Vest]

I have a GK fusion s 1200. It’s a little over 2years old. I usually run it with the bass boost on but it’s still at 12 to 1. Today it started to distort just on the b string, changed basses, cables, cabs, but still the same result. Unfortunately it’s out of warranty and I will take it somewhere. Just curious if anyone has ran into this.

 

[fattyjaybird]

Did you just post this today? Thats odd because my Gk800 just recently started doing that last week. Now its worse, i thought it was something with my bass. Ive no idea what the issue is though.

 

[LowendG]

I have an MB112 that has been stellar for a few years but just started having intermittent crackly noises, and now that issue is gone but the output level has dropped by about 1/3 and it's distorting when I dig in even a little. Did all the usual process of elimination stuff. I took it to a tech who couldn't find anything technically wrong--it "didn't do it for him". Out of warranty, really don't want to keep throwing $ at repair guys who can't find a problem.

 

[Roy Vest]

Did you just post this today? Thats odd because my Gk800 just recently started doing that last week. Now its worse, i thought it was something with my bass. Ive no idea what the issue is though.

Yes, just started happening today. It’s really weird. All notes on the b distort but the low e is fine. I feel like the volume is a little weaker too.

 

[Roy Vest]

I have an MB112 that has been stellar for a few years but just started having intermittent crackly noises, and now that issue is gone but the output level has dropped by about 1/3 and it's distorting when I dig in even a little. Did all the usual process of elimination stuff. I took it to a tech who couldn't find anything technically wrong--it "didn't do it for him". Out of warranty, really don't want to keep throwing $ at repair guys who can't find a problem.

Yea the nearest service center is about an hour and a half from me. I’m worried nothing will be found. I’d rather it just have not cut on. Would probably have been an easier fix.

 

[LowendG]

Yea the nearest service center is about an hour and a half from me. I’m worried nothing will be found. I’d rather it just have not cut on. Would probably have been an easier fix.

I took mine to a well-regarded local guy who charges $100 to check it out. That's reasonable I think. I do believe he gave it the old college try, but couldn't find a problem. Got it home, still not right(I mean, I know what it used to sound like...). If I have to take it to the nearest authorized GK service center it's 1.5 hour drive and they charge $169 just to walk in the door (you can't ship stuff to GK any longer that's out of warranty). I may just sell it cheapo as-is locally with full disclosure and cut my losses. I can get another one used for not much more than this dance could end up costing.

 

[eniac]

Problems like these, I always do the connect-effects-send-to-effects-return test first thing.

 

[Roy Vest]

Problems like these, I always do the connect-effects-send-to-effects-return test first thing.

Ok take me to school here. I’m not aware of this.

 

[nonohmic]

My older MB 500 Fusion does the same. There a couple of threads on it. Known issue which sucks donkey balls.

 

[Square]

Just put a known good patch cord from effects loop out to effects loop in.

Apparently (haven’t looked at the schematic) there is a bypass connection there when no cord/pedal is connected. These often oxidize and create various gremlins. The cord eliminates this pathway and creates another.

Too bad to hear GK won’t accept shipped out of warranty items. I live in Fresno and one reason I chose GK was the close proximity if I needed service. Close enough to drive I guess.

 

[Roy Vest]

Just put a known good patch cord from effects loop out to effects loop in.

Apparently (haven’t looked at the schematic) there is a bypass connection there when no cord/pedal is connected. These often oxidize and create various gremlins. The cord eliminates this pathway and creates another.

Too bad to hear GK won’t accept shipped out of warranty items. I live in Fresno and one reason I chose GK was the close proximity if I needed service. Close enough to drive I guess.

Thanks! I give it a shot.

 

[B-string]

Just put a known good patch cord from effects loop out to effects loop in.

Apparently (haven’t looked at the schematic) there is a bypass connection there when no cord/pedal is connected. These often oxidize and create various gremlins. The cord eliminates this pathway and creates another.

Too bad to hear GK won’t accept shipped out of warranty items. I live in Fresno and one reason I chose GK was the close proximity if I needed service. Close enough to drive I guess.

This can happen with any amp that has a series effects loop, the switch contacts are part of the "Effects Return" jack. Open frame jacks are worse about this than sealed jacks, but sealed jacks will still do this. If the amp has a switch for effects loop "Series/Parallel" work this switch about 10 times to clear the contact corrosion, or try the bypass instrument patch cable. The micro corrosion in the low voltage-low current contacts is called "fretting", which I found interesting playing a fretted instrument.

 

[LowendG]

Just put a known good patch cord from effects loop out to effects loop in.

Apparently (haven’t looked at the schematic) there is a bypass connection there when no cord/pedal is connected. These often oxidize and create various gremlins. The cord eliminates this pathway and creates another.

Too bad to hear GK won’t accept shipped out of warranty items. I live in Fresno and one reason I chose GK was the close proximity if I needed service. Close enough to drive I guess.

Yep, it's a bummer. I'm in NorCal close enough to drive it. Now I'd have to take it to CAE in San Mateo. $195 just to drop it off. I already spent $100 on the first tech who couldn't find the issue. I'd be down $269 and gas and time before they even look at it.
EDIT: I thought it was $169 to drop off an amp at CAE, but I stand corrected, it's $195!!!

 

[agedhorse]

Yep, it's a bummer. I'm in NorCal close enough to drive it. Now I'd have to take it to CAE in San Mateo. $195 just to drop it off. I already spent $100 on the first tech who couldn't find the issue. I'd be down $269 and gas and time before they even look at it.
EDIT: I thought it was $169 to drop off an amp at CAE, but I stand corrected, it's $195!!!

$195 as a drop off fee???

IMO, that’s crazy… the “we don’t want to work on thing” fee!

The entire labor and diagnostics fee for the most expensive Shuttle, Streamliner or Subway is only $130 flat (assuming nobody’s messed with it causing additional damage). All parts except tubes and power module are included too.

This sort of thing makes me sick, it’s unbelievably short sighted and doesn’t instill any confidence in repair shops and even the manufacturers that they pretend to represent.

[/rant]

 

[LowendG]

$195 as a drop off fee???

IMO, that’s crazy… the “we don’t want to work on thing” fee!

The entire labor and diagnostics fee for the most expensive Shuttle, Streamliner or Subway is only $130 flat (assuming nobody’s messed with it causing additional damage). All parts except tubes and power module are included too.

This sort of thing makes me sick, it’s unbelievably short sighted and doesn’t instill any confidence in repair shops and even the manufacturers that they pretend to represent.

[/rant]

Then my feeling that it is gouging is on-point! I wasn't sure if I was being unrealistic.

 

[agedhorse]

Then my feeling that it is gouging is on-point! I wasn't sure if I was being unrealistic.

Sure feels like it to me.

 

[Roy Vest]

Yep, it's a bummer. I'm in NorCal close enough to drive it. Now I'd have to take it to CAE in San Mateo. $195 just to drop it off. I already spent $100 on the first tech who couldn't find the issue. I'd be down $269 and gas and time before they even look at it.
EDIT: I thought it was $169 to drop off an amp at CAE, but I stand corrected, it's $195!!!

Dern, I really hope you get it fixed and they don’t add much more money to that cost.

 

[LowendG]

Dern, I really hope you get it fixed and they don’t add much more money to that cost.

I'm just gonna cut it loose. Got it used, has served me well for a number of years, not gonna throw any more $ at it. Time to move on to something else.

 

[nonohmic]

Just put a known good patch cord from effects loop out to effects loop in.

Apparently (haven’t looked at the schematic) there is a bypass connection there when no cord/pedal is connected. These often oxidize and create various gremlins. The cord eliminates this pathway and creates another.

Too bad to hear GK won’t accept shipped out of warranty items. I live in Fresno and one reason I chose GK was the close proximity if I needed service. Close enough to drive I guess.

I'm just gonna cut it loose. Got it used, has served me well for a number of years, not gonna throw any more $ at it. Time to move on to something else.

I tried the patch trick on mine and it seems to have solved it. However the issue was intermittent to begin with, so we'll see. But all yesterday I had no issues, so could be worth a shot.

 

[Roy Vest]

I finally had a minute to try the patch cable trick and it worked…… sort of. It was working great so then I thought I’ll unplug it and it will start distorting. Well it didint. Idk what to say. I’m using all the same cables and basses. Hopefully it doesint come back but idk. Thanks for all the replies and help offered.